Skeleton shelving



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

S. W. 86 A. L. POPE.

SKELETON SHELVING. No. 464,723. Patented Dec. 8, 1891.

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(No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2.

S. W. & A.'L. POPE. SKELETON SHELVINGi No. 464,723. Patented Dec. 8, 1891.

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SAMUEL IV. POPE AND ARTHUR L. POPE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

SKELETON SHELVING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 464,723, dated December 8, 1891.

Application filed March 9, 1891. Serial No. 384,320. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, SAMUEL WV. POPE and ARTHUR L. POPE, citizens of the United States, residing at St. Louis, in the State of Missouri, have invented a new and useful form of Skeleton Shelving, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

Our invention relates to skeleton shelves or racks. construct such shelves or racks so as to be simple, convenient in use, readily knocked down, and packed in a small space for moving or shipping; to secure durability with cheapness and economy in first cost; to most completely make the space occupied available when the shelves or racks are set up and in use, and to produce a construction which may be readily cleaned and which shall offer small opportunity for the accumulation of dust or dirt or for the lodgment or concealment of vermin. These objects are accomplished as illustrated in the drawings, and as described hereinafter.

WVhat we claim as new will be set forth in the claims.

In our drawings, Figure 2 isa front elevation of our skeleton shelves or racks. Fig. l is a perspective view. Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged views of links and their intersections, which form the dividing-partitions.

Similar letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The frame-work for the support of our shelving is composed of side pieces \V, suitably connected at the points of juncture. As shown in the drawings, brackets X form these connections and permit the frame-work to be readily taken to pieces or knocked down for moving or shipping. This frame-work may be made of such size or shape as to accommodate the articles to be held or the space to be occupied. To suitable points on the insides of the frame-work are attached the ends of intersecting rods, strips, or links a a, which, crossing each other at the points I), determine the sizes of the compartments. \Vhen these division strips or rods or links are composed of metal, the construction combines lightness with strength.

Figs. 3 and 4 show methods of connecting the rods, strips, or links at their points of in- The objects of our invention are to tersection. Hooks located at the extreme ends of the links, rods, or strips where they approach the sides W of the frame-work permit of ready fastening to or detachment from said sides. At the points (I on the insides of the frame-work small eyes or loops are fixed, into which the ends of the links are readily hooked. If these eyes or loops are furnished with threads and adj pstin g-nuts (l, the slack is readily taken up and the intersecting rods, strips, or links are kept taut and comparatively rigid.

hen the nuts G are loosened, the intersecting lattice-work of links hangs loosely, and hooks at the ends of the link cross-rods are readily attached to or detached from the eyes on the insides of the frame-work at the points d. This construction permits of knocking down the skeleton shelves readily, and when knocked down the link lattice-work or strips may be folded or packed in a small space for transportation. Such knocking down and packing are further facilitated by loosening the corner-brackets X and taking apart the sides of the frame-work NV. The whole construction may then be confined to a limited space and moved conveniently and with comparatively little expense.

It will be evident that the described lattice-work, combined with the frame-work \V, will not form skeleton shelves unless two or more sets of the lattice or intersecting links are used. In practice, therefore, enough of these sets or sheets of intersecting links are attached to the frame-work to form proper support for the articles to be held. Fig. 1 shows such arrangement, in which the skeleton shelves comprise four members or sets of intersecting links. Five or more sets may be used, or two or three sets will answer for many purposes. It willbe seen from the foregoing description that a simple construction is obtained whereby at a cheap first cost a light, neat, durable shelving is obtained. Itis readily taken apart and shipped or moved, and when so knocked down occupies but little space. In use a maximum amount of space is made available. It offers but little opportunity for dirt or vermin to obtain lodgment and is quickly and easily cleaned.

The frame-work W may be furnished with doors in front and a solid back, so as to protect the skeleton shelves and their contents to any desired extent.

As size and shape of compartments may be varied and any required strength may be obtained, this construction is adapted to an almost endless variety of uses, such as the compact and convenient arrangement of many kinds of merchandise, the filing of catalogues, circulars, newspapers, sheetmusic, Wall-paper, and manuscripts, the support of hats in hotels, of plates in restaurants, of files and filing boxes in safes and vaults, and, in short, for any shelving Where continuous support is not necessary for the articles to be held.

hat we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In racks, shelving, and the like, the combination, With an outside supporting and inclosing frame-work, of intersecting skeleton dividing and supporting partitions, each partition being formed of a series of rods or strips, substantially as described.

2. In racks, shelving, and the like, the combination, with an outside supporting and inclosing frame-Work, of intersecting skeleton div ding and supporting partitions, each partition being formed of a series of rods or strips, those of one partition being connected with those of the intersectingpartitions at the point of intersection, sub tantially as described.

3. In racks, shelving,and the like, the combination, with an outside supporting and inolosing frame-Work, of intersecting skeleton dividing and supporting partitions, each partition being formed of a series of flexible rods or strips, and means for adjusting the tension of the same, substantially as described.

4:. In racks, shelving, and the like, the combination, with a knockdown outside supporting and inclosing frame-Work, of intersecting skeleton dividing and supporting partitions, each partition being formed of a series of flexible rods or strips, the rods or strips of one partition being connected with those of the intersecting partitions at the point of in-- tersection, and means for adjusting the tension of the rods or strips, substantially as described.

5. In racks, shelving, and the like, the combination, with a knockdown outside *upporting and inclosing frame-work, of intersecting skeleton dividing and supporting partitions, each partition beingformed of a series of sectional rods or strips the sections Whereofare loosely connected together, the rods or strips of one partition being loosely connected with those of the intersecting partitions at the point of intersection, substantially as described.

SAMUEL W. POPE. ARTHUR Ii. POPE.

Witnesses:

ELBER'r B. OSBORNE, CHARLES ll. POPE. 

